Perspective on Indo-Pacific diplomacy and regional affairs
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U.S. Ambassador Christensen Sends Strategic Signals on U.S. Priorities in South Asia from Dhaka
IPW Report, Dhaka, New York, January 21, 2026.
As Bangladesh approaches a national election, recent remarks by United States Ambassador Brent T. Christensen offer insight into Washington’s intentions for Bangladesh and its broader regional strategy.
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Rohingya crisis: from humanitarian responsibility to security risk for Bangladesh
By Tanvir Rusmat, Dhaka, Jan 20, 2026
The Rohingya crisis in Bangladesh is increasingly moving beyond the bounds of a humanitarian issue and emerging as a national security and regional geopolitical challenge.
By Tanvir Rusmat, Dhaka, Jan 13, 2026
Bangladesh is navigating a delicate path in defense diplomacy, balancing deepening cooperation with the United States while maintaining long-standing military ties with China.
By Sadik Sagar, Dhaka, January 12, 2026
Pakistan’s exploration of a defense pact with Bangladesh, including the potential sale of JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, marks a significant development in South Asian security dynamics, with implications extending well beyond bilateral ties to regional rival India.
Asia on Edge as Trump Backs Punitive Tariffs Over Russian Oil
By Sadik Sagar, Dhaka, January 12, 2026.
United States President Donald Trump has backed a bipartisan bill that would impose sweeping sanctions on countries continuing to buy Russian oil, a move that could significantly disrupt Asian economies and global trade flows. The proposed legislation, championed by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Democrat Richard Blumenthal, would give Trump the authority to impose tariffs of up to 500 percent on imports from countries engaged with Russia’s energy sector.
Senator Graham said Trump had “greenlit” the bill following a “very productive” meeting, calling it a powerful tool to pressure nations such as China, India and Brazil to halt purchases of discounted Russian crude. According to Graham, the revenue from such oil sales continues to finance Russia’s war effort in Ukraine.
China and India remain Russia’s largest energy customers despite Western sanctions. Data from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air shows China accounted for nearly half of Russia’s crude oil exports in November, while India imported about 38 percent. Brazil, though previously a major buyer after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, has reduced imports in recent months.
By Tanvir Rusmat, Dhaka, Jan 13, 2026
Bangladesh’s foreign policy is increasingly being reshaped by economic necessity rather than traditional
Thailand–Cambodia Clashes Expose Growing Security Strain in Indochina, Raising Strategic Stakes for Bangladesh
TBy Tanvir Rusmat, Dhaka, Dec 24, 2025
Renewed security tensions in the Indochina region are drawing international attention as clashes along the Thailand–Cambodia border intersect with broader geopolitical rivalries, domestic pressures, and weak regional crisis-management mechanisms. While the confrontation appears outwardly as a localized border dispute, diplomats and analysts increasingly view it as part of a gradual strategic realignment in mainland Southeast Asia—one with direct implications for South Asia, including Bangladesh.
Technology War over Semiconductors: Strategic Challenges for South Asia and Bangladesh
By Tanvir Rusmat, Dhaka, Dec 24, 2025
The global contest over leadership in the Fourth Industrial Revolution has increasingly centered on semiconductors and rare earth materials (REM). What began as competition in innovation and trade between China and the Western bloc has evolved into a broader struggle over supply chains, technological standards, investment flows, and long-term economic security. This rivalry is now shaping policy choices in emerging economies, particularly across South Asia, including Bangladesh.
By Tanvir Rusmat, Dhaka, Dec 17, 2025
As great-power competition intensifies across the Indo-Pacific, the Bay of Bengal is rapidly transforming from a commercial maritime corridor into a strategic arena shaping South Asia’s security and development trajectory. For Bangladesh, located at the heart of this evolving maritime theatre, the Bay represents both a gateway for economic expansion and a zone of growing geopolitical pressure.
Rohingya Crisis Poised to Continue Amid International Skepticism of Myanmar’s Election
By Sadik Sagar, Dhaka, December 4, 2025
With Myanmar’s national election set to begin on December 28, 2025, concerns are mounting among international organizations and regional powers about the credibility of the upcoming polls. These doubts have reinforced fears that the long-running Rohingya crisis—already one of the world’s most protracted humanitarian tragedies—will continue without a viable path toward justice, repatriation or citizenship.
Anwar Shahadat
New York, November 6, 2025
The final outcome of the high-level meeting held at the United Nations General Assembly remains unclear. While the primary objective was to garner renewed global attention and support for the Rohingya refugee crisis, concrete commitments may take additional time to materialize.
One of the key goals of the session was to revive international support—support that has noticeably declined in recent years—and establish a sustainable framework of assistance for the displaced Rohingya community. However, any assurance of long-term support will inevitably require time, coordination, and political will.
Japan’s Nuclear Debate Sends Ripples Across Asia
By Sadik Sagar,, Dhaka, December 23, 2025
Japan has long been viewed as a pillar of global nuclear restraint, shaped by its historical experience as the only country to suffer atomic bombings and by its post-war pacifist principles. However, recent remarks by senior Japanese officials have reignited international attention.
By Tanvir Rusmat, Dhaka, November 18,2025
Tensions between China and Japan have intensified sharply following Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks in parliament
Sanctioning Burma Armed Group and Firms Linked to Organized Crime Scamming Americans
IPW Report- Washing DC, Nov 20, 2025
US Department or States in a press statement said that they are "Sanctioning Burma Armed Group and Firms Linked to Organized Crime Scamming Americans”
The United States sanctioned five individuals and three entities, located in Burma and Thailand, for their involvement in forced labor compounds that carry out fraudulent investment scams online.
CPJ Condemns Myanmar’s Charges Against AAMIJ News and Ongoing Suppression of Journalists
IPW Report- New York, Nov 20, 2025
According to a statement released by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) on November 12, 2025, Myanmar’s authorities must immediately drop the charges filed against the exile-run AAMIJ News and release freelance contributor Myat Thu Kyaw, who has been imprisoned since January 2023. CPJ criticized the military government for its escalating harassment of independent media covering election-related issues.
By Tanvir Rusmat, Dhaka, November 18,2025
Tensions between China and Japan have intensified sharply following Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks in parliament that a Chinese military move against Taiwan could create a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan, potentially justifying a military counter-response. Beijing reacted strongly, demanding that Takaichi retract her comments and condemning them as “egregious” interference in China’s internal affairs. Chinese officials warned that any Japanese attempt to intervene in the Taiwan Strait would be met with decisive retaliation.
As Western powers push back against Beijing’s influence, Bangladesh’s strategic choices are under scrutiny
As Western powers push back against Beijing’s influence, Bangladesh’s strategic choices are under scrutiny
Tanvir Rusmat Dhaka, November 11, 2025
As China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) turns ten, the world remains divided over whether it is a pathway to shared growth or a tool of strategic influence.
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